Issue - meetings

Under Sections 38 to 42 of the Localism Act 2011 the Council was required to produce an annual policy statement that covered a number of matters concerning the pay of the authority’s staff, in particular the Council’s approach to the pay of senior management and the lowest paid employees, and the relationship between the two.  The aim behind the Pay Policy Statement was to ensure that the Council’s approach to pay was transparent.  The Council considered the draft Pay Policy Statement for 2024-25, which met the requirements of the Localism Act in that regard and also met the requirements of guidance issued by the Secretary of State to which the authority was required to have regard under Section 40 of the Act.

Following approval by full Council, the Pay Policy Statement would be published on the Council’s website.  Any subsequent amendment to this statement made during the financial year would be similarly published.

Data on pay and rewards for staff was published on the website in line with the Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.

Upon the motion of the Lead Councillor for Community and Organisational Development, Councillor Carla Morson, seconded by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Julia McShane, the Council

RESOLVED: That the Pay Policy Statement for the 2024-25 financial year, attached at Appendix 1 to the report submitted to the Council, be approved.

Reason:

To comply with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 (Section 39) and associated guidance.

Under Section 39 of the Localism Act 2011, the Council was required to consider and approve a pay policy statement for the financial year ahead and publish it on its website.  The Council therefore considered the Pay Policy Statement covering 2021-22, which had set out the elements of pay and other benefits paid to staff and in particular the most senior employees. 

The Pay Policy Statement reflected the current Senior Management structure during the Future Guildford transformation programme, which comprised three Directors reporting to the Managing Director and Service Leaders reporting to either the Managing Director, Directors or Heads of Service.  Councillors noted that the Council would continue to pay at the Real Living Wage for outside London, which was currently £9.50 per hour, at the bottom of the pay scale. This would aid recruitment difficulties in attracting and retaining key staff. 

The Council also noted that, under section 11 of the Statement - Remuneration policies common to all employees, the provision of a subsidised catering facility had been removed.  This facility was no longer offered as remote staff working arrangements had reduced the need for the facility and vending machine options would replace this.

Upon the motion of the Leader of the Council, Councillor Joss Bigmore, seconded by the Lead Councillor for Resources, Councillor Tim Anderson, the Council

RESOLVED: That the Pay Policy Statement for the 2021-22 financial year, attached at Appendix 1 to the report submitted to the Council, be approved.

Reason:

To comply with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 (Section 39) and associated guidance.